Improvement in rubber sandals



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Rubber Sandals.

'N0.149,34. f Patented Aprl14, 1874.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT GEEIGE.

JOHN H. BENTLEY, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT AIN RUBBER SANDALS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,634, dated April 14, 1874; application filed 4 December 22, 1873.

To all whom t may concern: y

Beit known lthat I, J oEN H. BENTLEY, of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rubber Sandals, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of rubber overshoes designed to protect the feet from moisture in wet or muddy walking; and the object is to `provide a suitable rubber covering for protecting those parts of the feet which come more directly in contact or nearest to the ground, and are most liable to become wet, and yet obviate the many objections to the com-mon rubbers as heretofore constructed, among which are a tendency to draw the feet, causing undue heat and perspiration; incumbrance by increased weight and size of such additional coverings for the feet, and great inconvenience in applying or removing vsuch protections. 1,

My invention is designed to fully overcome these and various other objections to the wellknown rubber overshoe, and similar rubber coverings designed to protect thefeet from moisture when walking; and it consists of a peculiarly-shaped rubber sandal, constructed with a thick bottom or sole, extending back to the hollow of the foot. This sole has a narrow toe-piece, and likewise extends backward on each side to near the hollow of the foot, where it terminates, its upper edge being gradually curved downward from the middle of the foot,

until it reaches this point, where it ends; Immediately back of this, and upon each edge of the sole, is secured a short strap or band, about one inch in width, rising perpendicularly, say, about two inches, and then continuin g diagonally forward and upward to the top of the instep, thus forming a band or strap across the same. Another strap or band connects with the former, and extends at nearly right angles backward to about the top of the heel; also continuing from the latter point across the top of the instep,being on a curve upon its upper edge. This latter one is n ot separated from the former, but acts' in conjunction therewith, and keeps the heelstrap from falling down.

By means of the peculiar arrangement of the straps and their attachment to the short perpendicular strap, and its connection with the rear endrof the sole, and the whole being disconnected from the sides, they are made to t the foot more neatly, and are not drawn outwardly from the same when the foot is bent, as in walking.

Thus I am enabled to produce a new article of manufacture which, when placed upon the foot, shall have a very neat, light, dressy ap! pearance, the arrangement of the straps or bands being such as to allow the foot perfect freedom in walking. The short perpendicular strap not being connected with the sides of the sandal, the foot, when bent at the ball of the same, contracting its length, does not disturb any of the connecting parts; consequently th ey'are neither drawn tight nor loosened, and they are entirely covered bythe bottom of the leg of the pants when worn by a gentleman. This feature has not heretofore been produced as I am aware, it being an essential element in my invention.

Figure l is a view of' my invention applied to a boot, the dotted lines showing the line of straps.

A is the sole. B is the toe and side pieces. C is the short perpendicular strap. D is the instep-strap, and E the heel-strap.

What I claim as my invention is- As a new article of manufacture, the above-.

described rubber sandal, consisting ofthe sole A, having the side pieces B, which terminate at the edge of said sole near the shank, with the short perpendicular elastic strap C and oblique elastic straps D and E, all being constructed substantially as described, and for the purposes specied.

JOHN H. BENTLEY.

Witnesses SYLvENUs WALKER, ROBERT F. NAYLER. 

